Handling hot flashes, night sweats, and missed periods can be taxing enough on their own. However, of all your menopause symptoms, a loss of interest in sex can be the hardest to deal with, because it directly impacts your relationship. Before you despair, it is important to understand what has caused your loss of libido.
Many women are surprised to find out that one of the main triggers of their decreased libido during menopause is a decline in testosterone. More commonly associated with men, the hormone also plays a key role in female sex drive. Keep reading to learn more about how testosterone affects your libido during menopause.
The Sex Drive Hormone
Most women associate menopause with declines in estrogen, that ubiquitous female hormone responsible for everything from fertility to healthy blood flow. But a decline in your testosterone production in your ovaries is also a key driver of your menopause symptoms. The most noticeable effect of this is a loss of libido, your interest and ability to take pleasure in sex.
So how do you know if your testosterone levels have declined? You may notice a feeling of lethargy or sluggishness beginning to take hold. If you exercise often, workout routines may become more difficult. In the bedroom, you may have a more difficult time getting aroused. If achieved, orgasms may be noticeably weaker.
How to Correct Testosterone Imbalance
Fortunately, there are natural ways to correct and testosterone imbalance that don't involve costly and risky medications. These include:
- Lifestyle changes. Once you put in an effort to make yourself healthier, you'll be directly contributing to an equally healthy hormonal balance. Try introducing an exercise regimen into your daily routine. Eat balanced meals and avoid excessively fatty or sugary snack foods. Also, make time for enjoyable activities that aim to reduce your levels of stress.
- Herbal supplements. Though further research is needed on the effectiveness of herbal remedies in treating menopause, many women have reported experiencing their positive effects. Popular herbs for menopause treatment include black cohosh, dong quai, and Macafem.
If natural methods don't help you get your sex drive back, or you feel like your testosterone levels are out of control, you may want to talk to your doctor about your treatment options. There are medications available that can boost your testosterone and sex drive, but studies have proven them to be risky over long periods. Whatever you decide, try to consider the benefits and risks before committing to any remedy.
